Inorganic: A mineral that cannot come from minerals of something living. Crystal: A repeating pattern of some mineral particles that from a solid. Element: A substance made from different things. Compounds: Two different elements combined to make one. Mohs Hardness Scale: Ranks 10 certain elements from soft to hard. Streak: The color of the powder of a mineral. Luster: A term that explains how a mineral reflects light from it's surface. Cleavage: Minerals that split easily on open surfaces. Fracture: Describes ho0w a mineral breaks and how it looks. Fluoroesence: Minerals that grow under ultra- violet light.
Outline
What is a mineral?
A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with crystal structure and definite chemical composition
Naturally Occurring
Cannot be man made (glass, brick) must be naturally occurring
Inorganic
Mineral can't get created from materials that were part of a living thing.
Solid
Must be solid with definite shape/volume (particles can't flow freely in a solid)
Crystal Structure
Crystals are formed when pattern repeats over and over again
Definite Chemical Composition
Should have elements in definite proportions (that creates a compound)
Some minerals are pure, or not created by two elements
Identifying Minerals
Each mineral has its own specific properties that can identify it
Hardness
Mohs scale rates 1-10, softest to hardest
Mineral can scratch any mineral softer than it, but will be scratched by harder ones
Color
Some minerals have more than one color, not reliable source
Streak
Color of mineral's powder
Can be measured by rubbing mineral against streak plate (unglazed tile)
Each mineral always has its own streak, no matter what color it is.
Luster
How mineral reflects light from its surface
Density
Measured by weight, scientists use a scale
Crystal Systems
All have different crystal structures
Cleavage and Fracture
If it splits easily along flat surface, it has cleavage
Depends on ho crystals and atoms are arranged, Split in different ways.
Minerals that don't split easily have fracture
rough, irregular surfaces have an uneven fracture
Special Properties
Some minerals have unique strange properties (magnetism, etc.)
Table of Contents
4.1 Properties of Minerals
Vocabulary
Inorganic: A mineral that cannot come from minerals of something living.
Crystal: A repeating pattern of some mineral particles that from a solid.
Element: A substance made from different things.
Compounds: Two different elements combined to make one.
Mohs Hardness Scale: Ranks 10 certain elements from soft to hard.
Streak: The color of the powder of a mineral.
Luster: A term that explains how a mineral reflects light from it's surface.
Cleavage: Minerals that split easily on open surfaces.
Fracture: Describes ho0w a mineral breaks and how it looks.
Fluoroesence: Minerals that grow under ultra- violet light.
Outline
What is a mineral?
- A mineral is a naturally occurring, inorganic solid with crystal structure and definite chemical composition
Naturally Occurring- Cannot be man made (glass, brick) must be naturally occurring
Inorganic- Mineral can't get created from materials that were part of a living thing.
Solid- Must be solid with definite shape/volume (particles can't flow freely in a solid)
Crystal Structure- Crystals are formed when pattern repeats over and over again
Definite Chemical CompositionIdentifying Minerals
- Each mineral has its own specific properties that can identify it
HardnessColor
- Some minerals have more than one color, not reliable source
Streak- Color of mineral's powder
- Can be measured by rubbing mineral against streak plate (unglazed tile)
- Each mineral always has its own streak, no matter what color it is.
Luster- How mineral reflects light from its surface
Density- Measured by weight, scientists use a scale
Crystal Systems- All have different crystal structures
Cleavage and Fracture- If it splits easily along flat surface, it has cleavage
- Depends on ho crystals and atoms are arranged, Split in different ways.
- Minerals that don't split easily have fracture
- rough, irregular surfaces have an uneven fracture
Special PropertiesBack to Homepage